College of Central Florida will host a performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” on Saturday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles R. Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” was written in 1918, in the midst of the Spanish Flu pandemic. The piece was specifically written for a smaller ensemble – requiring fewer musicians and allowing for travel during a time of pandemic. “The Soldier’s Tale” is a theatrical work written for not only musicians, but also for accompanying narrators and dancers (Stravinsky was most known for his ballets). This production will feature seven musicians, one narrator and one dancer under the artistic direction of Trey Moore, instructor of Trumpet.

The work tells the story of a soldier who sells his music box (a representation of his soul) to the devil in exchange for economic prosperity. Eventually the solider falls in love and realizes he wants his soul returned, and proceeds to trick the devil to get it back. He is successful in his attempt but with one remaining stipulation: the soldier must never return to his hometown. Eventually, the soldier’s love insists that they go together to take the soldier’s ailing mother from the town. The soldier agrees, but upon entering the town’s boundaries, is pulled to his death by the devil.

The performance is being presented for free by CF and is available to the public. Tickets can be reserved at www.CF.edu/VPATickets. In adherence to COVID-19 protocols, seating is extremely limited. Reserve your seats early to help guarantee a spot in the theater.  To keep the audience, staff and musicians safe, seating in the theater will be physically distanced and masks will be required for the audience through the entire duration of the performance. String musicians will wear masks, and wind instruments will have covers over parts of their instruments to limit air spread.

The College of Central Florida will distribute $2.5 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to current students whose lives have been disrupted.

Approximately 3,400 CF students will receive the funds to be used for course materials, technology, food, housing, health care and child care.

“It is important that students prepare themselves for a career that will provide for them when times are good and when they are more challenging,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “We are pleased to distribute these funds so that students can continue on their educational pathway.”

While colleges have discretion over how to award the aid, they must prioritize students with the greatest need. Therefore, CF will prioritize aid to Pell eligible and other federal Title IV eligible students. Emergency aid is in addition to other Title IV aid awarded to students.

The College of Central Florida is offering courses in person, online and in a hybrid format to meet student needs. Student services such as admissions, advising and tutoring are also being offered in a variety of formats.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents two exhibits of work by Marion County Public School students, both on view through April 25.

“Young in Art” features work from Marion County Public School K-12 students. Hosted annually by the Appleton since the early 1990s, the show highlights the artistic achievement of Marion County students at every grade level and highlights the importance of arts education. Every public school in Marion County is invited to participate. This year, 42 schools submitted artwork with a total of 234 pieces of art. The work is on view in the museum’s education wing until April 25. In addition, each school participating in “Young in Art” will be highlighted on the Appleton Facebook page and Twitter account. Each day a different school will be featured, along with photos of the work submitted by the school’s students.

On display in the museum café, also through April 25, is the “Superintendent’s Art Show.” Hosted at the Appleton since 2018, this youth art exhibit features one work of art selected from each school and highlights artistic excellence across the county.

“I believe in the arts and how they can impact a child’s life,” said Dr. Diane Gullett, Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools. “Showcasing student art at school provides much-deserved recognition, but elevating student artwork to the Appleton Museum of Art and its culturally rich environment takes things to a significantly higher level.”

After leaving the Appleton, the “Superintendent’s Art Show” will be on view throughout the summer in the Marion County Public School district offices and school board building.

In lieu of in-person receptions this year, students with work on display in “Young in Art” and the “Superintendent’s Art Show” are invited to visit the Appleton for free with up to four family members while the shows remain on view. Students must present a valid student ID or the letter of participation from MCPS.

The College of Central Florida is offering a Racing to Manufacturing summer camp for students ages 12-15, June 14-17, 2021 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

During the four-day camp, students will experience modern manufacturing, learn the basics of computer-aided design and 3D printing. Campers will gain hands-on experience in designing and building products, learn about FANUC industrial robots, tour local manufacturing facilities, and interact with manufacturing business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The $99 fee includes all camp materials, a student-version 365-day license of SolidWorks CAD design software, T-shirt, and field trips. Scholarship opportunities are available. Space is limited to 15 participants and CDC guidelines will be implemented. For more information and to register, visit CF.edu/CorporateCollege, or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1214.

This event is sponsored by Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, the Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association.

The College of Central Florida continues the International Film Series with “The Night of the Living Dead” on Tuesday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Online discussion on Wednesday, April 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. will be hosted by Sezin Koehler. Screenings will take place at the Ocala Drive-In theater, 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala, for free. Each film can also be screened from the safety of one’s own home at a time of convenience via free internet streaming services.

This film showcases Barbra and her brother Johnny being attacked by a strange, lurching man while visiting their uncle’s grave. Johnny is killed but Barbra manages to escape to a nearby farmhouse as more of these murderous flesh-eating people come out of the woods. Barbra is quickly met by Ben, a Black man who quickly takes charge of the situation and everyone’s safety as best he can all the while they continue to be violently set upon by hordes of the undead. With an unforgettable and heartbreaking conclusion, George Romero’s seminal 1968 horror film “The Night of the Living Dead” isn’t only a terrifying story of its own right, its social commentary on race in America has continued to remain relevant in the decades since. This film has a total run time 96 minutes.

Koehler, the host for the Wednesday discussion, is a weekly contributor to Looper, a film critic for Black Girl Nerds, and has bylines in The List, Bitch Media, and many more. She’s the author of indie horror novels “American Monsters” and “Crime Rave”, and writes from a small Florida beach town where she raises orchids and endangered monarch butterflies in her yard.

For links to the screening and discussion, and for a full series list and more information on the International Film Series, contact Wendy Adams at 352-873-5800, ext. 1546, or visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

The College of Central Florida Nursing program has announced a new student learning community called Nursing Crew. Pre-nursing students will have an opportunity to learn together in their first two years in college, achieving academic success and preparing for the nursing admissions process. Students will follow a pre-nursing pathway including nursing and general education courses to complete an Associate in Arts degree.

“By establishing relationships with fellow pre-nursing students this will support and encourage academic achievement,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, dean of Health Sciences. “Our goal is to support students through this unique partnership with Academic Advising, Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Enrollment Services and Student Life.”

Interested students need to fill out the CF admission application, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and submit a letter of interest by July 19 to be considered for the Nursing Crew 2023 class.

For more information and to attend an information session, visit www.CF.edu/NursingCrew.

Two College of Central Florida students were named 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholars and will receive a scholarship to assist them with their education. Daniel Goodman from the Citrus Campus was named a Gold Scholar and Autumn Lloyd from the Ocala Campus was named a Bronze Scholar. Goodman will receive a $1,500 scholarship and Lloyd will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service. Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa honor society’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Students are first named to the Florida College System’s 2021 All-Florida Academic Team before being eligible to compete in the national contest. CF students recognized for the All-Florida Team were Jennifer Barton, Emily Ferguson, Dominique Gandiongco, Daniel Goodman, Brian Holloway, Autumn Lloyd and Lauren Morales.

In nominating students for the All-Florida Academic Team, colleges considered the following criteria:

• Participation in honors programs
• Membership in, and awards received from, academic or honors organizations
• Awards and honors received for academic and leadership accomplishments
• Academic enrichment achieved through study, internships and cultural experiences.

 

The College of Central Florida will showcase the talent of its Visual Arts and Digital Media students in an exhibition that opens on Monday, April 5, at the Webber Gallery at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. The student exhibition is an annual tradition for CF and the Webber Gallery, and provides students with an opportunity to present their work in a professional environment. There will be a variety of work on display.

“Even during extraordinary times, when most classes have been online, the annual student exhibition of the Visual Art and Digital Media programs is still the best venue to see the talents of CF students on display,” said Tyrus Clutter, associate professor of Visual Art. “This year traditional works will be seen along some collaborative projects by the college’s Art Appreciation students.”

The exhibition will be judged and juried by Dustin Boise, an Oklahoma-born artist and educator who is currently an assistant professor of Art at Beacon College in Leesburg. Traditionally purchase awards will be given to students whose work has been chosen by CF to become a part of its permanent art collection.

The exhibit will continue through Friday, May 7. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The gallery is closed Friday through Sunday and college-observed holidays. Admission is free. Masks are required to enter the gallery.

For additional information, call 352-873-5809.